Hello!

27 Comments

UK Mum films her five-year-old daughter’s rant about how ‘deeply frustrating’ it is that stores Halloween costumes are not gender-neutral.

Poppy Lambert-Harden was shopping with her mum when she discovered that her favourite outfits for Halloween were always in the boys’ section, shares Daily Mail.

The observant child had the same problem previous years and was forced to buy a skeleton costume from the boys’ section of the store, after complaining girls’ costumes ‘weren’t very scary or cool’.

Her mother Jesse, 38, captured the rant on video after the youngster proclaimed ‘I am so disappointed that this always happens’.

In the video clip, Poppy points out several Halloween-themed outfits that she likes and asks her mum why they are just for boys.

Poppy said: ‘Why are all the boys’ clothes in the boys’ section? Because I really like this. Because they’re really cool and funky.

‘It’s just I can’t buy them because they are in the boys’ section. But maybe you can change it.

‘I think [H&M] should definitely change it so some of the cool stuff’s in the girls’ section and some of the cool stuff’s in the boys’ section.

‘It’s really really hard for other people who really want one of the boys’ tops and leggings.’

Mum Jesse said: ‘It’s always the same issue in H&M. Poppy wanted to be a vampire but that costume was in the boys’ section. All the girls’ outfits are really pink and frilly.

‘She just wants to be a scary vampire, not a fairy vampire. She was indignant when she noticed again that the costume she wanted was in the boys’ section again this year.

‘I get very annoyed by it too. I was the same when I was little. All the girls’ outfits are witches or cats – they’re not realistic or very scary.

‘Before I pressed record, her rant was quite impressive. She said “this is deeply frustrating for me, I am so disappointed that this always happens.”‘

Poppy even wrote a letter to the store to express her concerns.

We have previously shared a letter to the Editor from a young girl who noticed something very sexist in her local paper. Read more here.

Who says you can’t buy from the boys section? Go for it! 

Share your comments

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • She has a point though – costumes for girls are marketed as cute, safe or sexy. Boys tend to get the exciting or adventurous costumes. It doesn’t mean she can’t buy a boys one but why can’t they make some unisex ones. Girls want to be astronauts and zombies too

    Reply

  • What a ridiculous rant! Just because you’re a girl doesn’t mean you can’t buy from the boys section. And vice versa if you’re a boy. Use your brains and buy what you like, from where you like

    Reply

  • Actually in Adelaide it used to be the opposite. Skivvies in the boys section used to be thicker and longer than the girls so my Mum used to buy me boys ones which at that time were cheaper than the girls ones. She also bought me boys singlets when I was small for the same reason. It didn’t matter to me that the shoulders were wider on the boys ones. Only a few months ago I bought some size 3 singlets in the girls section. The tags in them were labelled girls. Their shoulders were the same width as the boys.

    Reply

  • Our local Kmart has all the Halloween gear together so no gender areas here.


    • It is a such a good idea to have all of the costumes and clothes together and have them unisex – just makes good sense.

    Reply

  • I’m not sure that I have ever even noticed if costumes are separated into boys and girls.
    I suppose it’s not that much of an issue here anyway – not much trick or treating going on!

    Reply

  • I don’t pay any attention to whether I’m in the boys’ or girls’ section.

    Reply

  • Yep. Just have a kids section. I’ve bought girls trackies and jeans and singlets and stuff for my five year old son. Because they’re half the price as the same thing with ‘boys’ written on it.

    Reply

  • If something takes your fancy than buy it regardless of if it’s in the boys or girls sections!

    Reply

  • A lot of clothing sadly is still stereotyped and it is not about buying from the girls/womens or boys/men sections. It is about being offered similar choices of clothing in all sections regardless of gender stereotyping. We buy from any section and often find clothing in the boys/mens section to be cheaper; particularly when it comes to t shirts and socks!

    Reply

  • Why would you not be able to buy it when it’s in the boy section ? That never withheld me !
    Recently I bought boys-joggers for my 4 year old girl and my 14yr old girl and myself buy regularly men-shirts.

    Reply

  • Obviously she can just buy from the boys section if that is what the girl wants… But it’s more than just halloween clothing.
    My daughter loves Lightning McQueen but it’s only ever marketed to boys. She also loves Marshall from Paw Patrol but in the girls section, its always only Skye or Everest. My daughter doesn’t know any different though, to her they are clothes or toys, but it’s sad even now, there is assumption girls want pink and the “girly” option

    Reply

  • If you want it, who cares if it’s in the boys section, just buy it!

    Reply

  • I have often bought clothes from the boys dept. for the girls and mens for me.
    Boys skivvies and T-shirts are often longer in the body than the girls are + often cheaper. Boys material used to be thicker for flannel shirts too. Nothing wrong with them under a jumper in the Winter. Boys T-shirts usually have sleeves that completely cover the shoulders where girls don’t. The same thing applies to boys track pants that I buy for the girls. They are sometimes thicker for Winter wear. have exactly the same ties in the waist etc.

    Reply

  • I’d just buy from the boys’ section.

    Reply

  • I can’t see the problem of buying a Halloween costume from the boys section. It may be something to do with the sizing but who cares as long as they get the outfit they like.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join